5 Tips for Coping With the Pandemic During the Holidays

Date Published: December 17, 2020

The holiday season is upon us, and with it come new concerns about the coronavirus pandemic and the long winter that’s ahead. You’re not alone if you’re having a hard time feeling especially festive or merry with the health crisis still looming. But there’s still a lot to look forward to this holiday season and beyond (including some very promising vaccine candidates for the coming year).

We asked the DoSomething community for their tips on managing stress during the pandemic and holidays, and here’s some of their advice for making it through these especially stressful times.

Have your own tips for dealing with stress? Share them through our Let’s Stress Less campaign to help support other young people’s mental and emotional health.

1) Focus on the parts of the holiday that can happen even during a pandemic.

You may not be able to attend your city’s tree lighting or get your picture taken with Santa, but nothing’s stopping you from cruising in your car to see the neighborhood’s holiday lights or remotely streaming a seasonal movie with friends. There’s still plenty of holiday cheer to go around, even from home!

“I am putting a lot of the anxiety and pressure into my Christmas decorating and Christmas cheer,” says DoSomething member Bobby, 22. “I have decorated about five times more than usual. I am planning on making cookies every week and so much more. Even though all this uncertainty surrounds every aspect of life, the cheer that’s caused is comforting”

To be clear, the holidays aren’t just outright canceled due to COVID-19. You can still celebrate and, yes, even gather together with loved ones, as long as you do so safely and in accordance with public health guidelines. And for those folks you still can’t go visit right now, there are plenty of ways to stay connected from a distance -- from virtual holiday parties to religious services.

“To help cope with not being able to see other family, I have been trying to focus on giving gifts and letting them know that I'm still here for them,” says DoSomething member August, 17. “This can be researching and picking out personalized gifts (maybe supporting a small business in the process!), or maybe making your own gift (such as baking).”

2) Make time for yourself.

“Do whatever relaxes you and makes you empty your mind, even if just for a couple minutes,” says DoSomething member Cayla, 17. “For me this is painting, dancing or writing. For you it could be running, playing video games or cooking.”

“Everyone needs a release from the busy world, so do your best to find this release and take part in it every day.”

Just make sure the things you plan for yourself are things you’ll actually enjoy (because the best form of self-care is the kind you’ll consistently do). This is especially important during the holidays, when we can sometimes feel pressure to have a great time or do specific activities just because it’s ~that time of year~. Listen to what your body and mind need, even if it’s not the most flashy.

“For so long I felt this pressure to become some kind of fitness person during quarantine, and eventually, I learned that I should just listen to what my body wants,” says DoSomething member Kara, 21. “If I feel like working out then I will. But if I have this feeling that I ‘should,’ I will not force myself. Instead, I will go on a walk so that I am still moving and getting out of my house.”

3) Stick to a routine.

At this point in the pandemic, the days spent quarantining may seem to blur together, and being productive can feel like a real challenge. Being at home all the time makes the different parts of your day feel kinda same-y, so be diligent about setting a routine to get you through everything on your to-do list.

“Making a list of everything I need to get done on a particularly stressful and busy day has been a major help throughout the past year,” says DoSomething member Hannah, 17. "It keeps me organized and on a schedule, which is necessary for me to continue getting things done while stuck at home.”

This also applies for time spent doing things other than work or school! Make self-care, meals, and rest a regular part of your schedule too.

“I have found that creating a routine with a wind down at the end of the day is helpful,” says DoSomething member Alexis, 17. “I wake up at a reasonable time, determined by what I have to do, then I make coffee, drink my first cup, clean up a little bit, do some schoolwork, and then take a break.”

4) Acknowledge that this is a stressful time.

As a reminder: this is not a normal year. This is not a normal holiday season. You are allowed to feel frustrated, angry, sad, or any other way (even if that conflicts with what you usually expect to feel around this time of year).

“Taking a step back and understanding that I am overwhelmed is a big thing for me —because I can get overwhelmed easily,” says DoSomething member Jacqueline, 21. “I start to write down everything in my planner and make sure I have time for everything that is stressing me out —if that is school work, studying, or work.”

As fun as the celebrations and festivities can be, don’t just try to bury your emotions under tinsel and hot cocoa -- they’ll probably catch up to you. Recognize when you’re feeling negatively, and let yourself really feel it. (Personally, we’re big fans of a nice, cathartic cry every once in a while.)

“I'm constantly faced with stress even though I deny it. A lot of people say to distract yourself but I don't agree,,” says DoSomething member Zariah, 14. “I feel like doing that just gives you something to worry about later on...I suggest you indulge in your emotions”

5) Find meaning in the little things.

“I am coping with these stressful times by allowing myself to recognize one good thing that comes out of every day,” says DoSomething member Abby, 17. “There is good in every day and if you take the time to find it, it can improve your outlook on the day itself and life as a whole.”

The truth is, our lives will never play out like one of those cheesy holiday movies on Netflix, pandemic or otherwise (after all, The Knight Before Christmas involves literal time travel). Your celebration may not be perfect, and that’s okay. Find the moments that feel special in their own way, and treasure them just the same.

“I try and appreciate the little things in life,” says DoSomething member Kristin, 17. “I smile whenever my dog's tail whacks the floor because he's happy to see me. I admire how the sunset turns the whole sky pink. I make sure to keep in touch with friends I would've usually seen on a daily basis at school but at least I'm still talking to them.

“COVID and holiday stress may feel overwhelming, but you have to remember to sit back and take a breather.”

And if all else fails, at least you’ve got the knowledge that this awful year will be over soon -- 2021, here we come!